The Pope’s apology for the Catholic Church’s historical complicity in the transatlantic slave trade has been met with a mix of grace and grief in Ghana, where the legacy of that trade remains a raw wound. But the diplomatic niceties stopped there. In a pointed address that echoed through the corridors of power in London, Ghanaian officials and civil society leaders turned their fire on Britain: the architect of the empire that enslaved millions and the current head of the Commonwealth, a body many see as a lingering relic of colonial control.
“We accept the Pope’s words as a step towards healing,” said Nana Akufo-Addo’s spokesman, speaking from Accra. “But we cannot ignore that the Vatican’s apology comes centuries after the fact, while Britain’s monarchy and government have yet to utter a similar clear, unequivocal word. The Commonwealth must now answer for its silence, not just on slavery but on the ongoing economic inequalities that stem from it.”
The apology from Pope Francis, delivered during a visit to Canada, where he said the Church’s “shameful” participation in the slave trade had caused “catastrophic” damage, was welcomed by Ghana’s Catholic bishops. “It is a good start, but we need action, not just words,” said Archbishop John Bonaventure Kwofie of Accra. “The Church must now use its immense resources to support descendants of the enslaved, particularly in education and economic empowerment.”
Yet the stinging rebuke was reserved for Britain. Ghana, which gained independence in 1957, has long been a vocal critic of the Commonwealth’s failure to address the legacies of colonialism and slavery. The recent death of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of King Charles III, who has expressed regret for slavery but stopped short of an apology, has reignited the debate. “The Commonwealth is a club of equals, but the power and wealth remain concentrated in the hands of the former colonisers,” said Professor Kwame Osei, a historian at the University of Ghana. “An apology from the Pope is welcome, but it is the British state that must face its own history. The refusal to even use the word ‘apology’ is an insult to the millions who suffered.”
For ordinary Ghanaians, the news of the Pope’s apology was met with a shrug mixed with anger. On the streets of Accra, street vendor Ama Mensah, 42, said: “The Church and the British were partners in this evil. The Pope says sorry, but where is the money? Where is the help for our children? The British still run the show in the Commonwealth, and they do nothing for us.” Her sentiment was echoed by former union leader Kojo Asante: “The Commonwealth is a farce. Britain uses it to maintain influence while our economies remain tied to their banks and aid conditions. The Pope’s apology is a distraction from the real issue: economic justice.”
The controversy comes as the Commonwealth prepares for its next summit, where reparations and a formal apology are expected to be key demands from many African and Caribbean nations. Ghana has been at the forefront of this push, with the government recently launching a commission to examine the impact of slavery and colonialism. “The Pope’s apology should be seen as a challenge to other institutions, including the British royal family and government, to follow suit,” said Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey. “The Commonwealth cannot be a vehicle for healing while its leadership refuses to acknowledge the root cause of the wounds.”
Britain’s response has been cautious. A Downing Street spokesperson said the government “recognises the pain of slavery” and is committed to “building a partnership based on mutual respect,” but stopped short of an apology. King Charles has expressed “profound sorrow” but has not apologised, a position that critics say is a calculated move to avoid legal liability for reparations.
For Ghanaians, the Pope’s apology is a moment of validation but also a reminder of the unfinished business with Britain. “The Church has shown moral courage. Now it is time for the state to do the same,” said Archbishop Kwofie. “The Commonwealth must either reckon with its past or risk becoming irrelevant in the lives of the people it claims to represent.”
